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Mother's methadone curbs appeal Mother's methadone curbs appeal
(about 3 hours later)
A mother has called for tougher controls on prescribing methadone after a inquest heard her son died after taking the heroin substitute. A mother has called for tougher controls on prescribing methadone after an inquest heard her son died after taking the heroin substitute.
Phillip Thomas, 21, who was found dead in an Anglesey garden, was not a heroin user nor had been prescribed methadone.Phillip Thomas, 21, who was found dead in an Anglesey garden, was not a heroin user nor had been prescribed methadone.
Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said efforts were being made to make addicts take their methadone in front of pharmacists to stop it being sold on.Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said efforts were being made to make addicts take their methadone in front of pharmacists to stop it being sold on.
But he said this was more successful in urban than rural areas.But he said this was more successful in urban than rural areas.
Mr Thomas had stopped breathing after taking the drug and was found dead in a garden in Brynsiencyn on 23 September last year.Mr Thomas had stopped breathing after taking the drug and was found dead in a garden in Brynsiencyn on 23 September last year.
My son died because an addict sold their methadone for a couple of quid to buy heroin Rhian Roberts, motherMy son died because an addict sold their methadone for a couple of quid to buy heroin Rhian Roberts, mother
The inquest heard that at first his death was thought to have been a "sudden death".The inquest heard that at first his death was thought to have been a "sudden death".
But tests showed he had taken methadone, although he was not a heroin user and had not been prescribed the heroin substitute.But tests showed he had taken methadone, although he was not a heroin user and had not been prescribed the heroin substitute.
Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said death was due to asphyxia and that taking methadone had the effect of making the brain "forget to breathe".Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said death was due to asphyxia and that taking methadone had the effect of making the brain "forget to breathe".
The coroner said this meant Mr Thomas had suffocated.The coroner said this meant Mr Thomas had suffocated.
His death would be used to help change the method of prescribing methadone, the inquest heard.His death would be used to help change the method of prescribing methadone, the inquest heard.
Mr Jones said that a north Wales drugs forum was behind a scheme to get methadone - which is taken as a green liquid - to be given and taken at pharmacies.Mr Jones said that a north Wales drugs forum was behind a scheme to get methadone - which is taken as a green liquid - to be given and taken at pharmacies.
"In more rural areas this is not easy, but where it works it is a way of getting less methadone on the street and will help prevent deaths such as this," he added."In more rural areas this is not easy, but where it works it is a way of getting less methadone on the street and will help prevent deaths such as this," he added.
He said the system was "not working so well" in the countryside.He said the system was "not working so well" in the countryside.
"It can be bad for business for a chemist when people come once or twice a day to take their methadone.""It can be bad for business for a chemist when people come once or twice a day to take their methadone."
Mr Thomas' mother Rhian Wyn Roberts, 47, said after the inquest that she believed the scheme should be extended so that no methadone could be sold on.Mr Thomas' mother Rhian Wyn Roberts, 47, said after the inquest that she believed the scheme should be extended so that no methadone could be sold on.
"They sell the methadone to feed their addiction for heroin."They sell the methadone to feed their addiction for heroin.
"Maybe it is not a nice thing for people to see them taking it at the chemist, but they should be given a room to do it, and it should be extended so that it is offered at the doctor's surgery too."Maybe it is not a nice thing for people to see them taking it at the chemist, but they should be given a room to do it, and it should be extended so that it is offered at the doctor's surgery too.
'Miss him''Miss him'
"If an addict living in this village wanted to get off heroin by taking methadone he or she would have to travel miles to Llangefni to visit a pharmacy, but there's a doctor's surgery two miles down the road in Dwyran."If an addict living in this village wanted to get off heroin by taking methadone he or she would have to travel miles to Llangefni to visit a pharmacy, but there's a doctor's surgery two miles down the road in Dwyran.
"Losing Phil was so unnecessary. I'm so angry with the person who gave him the methadone," Ms Roberts added."Losing Phil was so unnecessary. I'm so angry with the person who gave him the methadone," Ms Roberts added.
"I know he took it, but he can't have known what the effects were on the brain of taking methadone.""I know he took it, but he can't have known what the effects were on the brain of taking methadone."
Ms Roberts said her son was "a rebel" but he had been "calming down" and was happy in the months before he died.Ms Roberts said her son was "a rebel" but he had been "calming down" and was happy in the months before he died.
Ms Roberts, who lost a baby son 27 years ago, also has two daughters.Ms Roberts, who lost a baby son 27 years ago, also has two daughters.
"My son died because an addict sold their methadone for a couple of quid to buy heroin."My son died because an addict sold their methadone for a couple of quid to buy heroin.
"I might get used to the idea of what happened, but I won't ever get over losing him. I miss him so very much.""I might get used to the idea of what happened, but I won't ever get over losing him. I miss him so very much."